China and Japan agree consultative mechanism

China and Japan agreed to launch a mechanism to deal with any potential points of tension as soon as possible, during a fourth round of consultations over maritime crisis management in Tokyo, according to the website of the Chinese National Defense Ministry.

At the meeting on Monday, officials from the two countries defense ministries first reaffirmed agreements reached earlier.

They then discussed details, including the technical aspects of setting up a consultative mechanism to govern contacts at sea or in the air between their forces, and agreed to start it after necessary adjustments based on the talks.

According to Japan's Kyodo News, Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani hailed the agreement. "At a time when we see an increased risk of unforeseen events in waters and airspace, including in the East China Sea, I'd like to welcome it as a major step," Nakatani said.

The mechanism of high-level consultations on maritime affairs between the countries was launched in 2012.

After three rounds the talks were suspended after the Japanese government's so-called "nationalization" of China's Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea in Sept 2012.